If you like this, try…
Wines like Grenache
A pale, high-alcohol, sweetly fruited Mediterranean variety that anchors Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Priorat. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Grenache?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too plain or too simple.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Vin Doux Naturel
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Vin Doux Naturel
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.